GOP field splits on Yucca

WASHINGTON -- The wide open field of Republicans presidential hopefuls are split on what to do about Yucca Mountain.

Jon Huntsman, Tim Pawlenty, Gary Johnson and Ron Paul oppose storing nuclear waste at the Nevada location. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann favor opening the repository. And, Mitt Romney has been fuzzy about where he stands, according to a report today in The Hill.

The D.C.-centric newspaper sought direct comments from the GOP field on Yucca Mountain with little success. But, they were able to piece together past statements and actions to discern where most of the Republicans come down on the controversial issue.

Here are some of the highlights:

Pawlenty supported Yucca Mountain in 2002 but now says the area is prone to earthquakes and should not be used to store nuclear waste.

Huntsman opposed Yucca while governor of Utah because some of the waste would be transported across his state.

Paul voted against the original House bill that launched the Yucca project.

Gingrich, as House Speaker, spearheaded the Yucca bill through Congress over President Bill Clinton's threatened veto.

Bachmann said in 2009 that Yucca was a "key component" to energy independence.

The Nevada caucus is scheduled for Feb. 18.